OB/boat related: Any Elec Engineers or solar power experts on the OB?

Looking to explore putting a team in the event below. Trying to see if I have any local experts in the BR area that want to try to be mad scientist with me.

would need to custom design and create an electric boat that could compete in a 340 mile race. Can use an existing boat hull/ design( which I have in mind), but would have to retrofit for electric propulsion and solar recharging of batteries.

Does LSU have an engineering class I could partner with maybe if no one has the knowledge or interest to brainstorm the project? I recognize it could get pricey, but I could cover a lot of it and find sponsors if cost gets outrageous.

LINK to info

LINK to rules

If anyone would like to discuss, my email is lazzy1@me(dot) com

The Rules
1. Craft must be powered by solar-electric means only and must convey, at minimum, one human adult from start to finish.

2. Storage of electrical power is allowed in batteries. The batteries may be fully charged at the start of the race. Once the race begins, charging may only take place via photovoltaic (solar) power.

3. Race begins at Kaw Point at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers (mile 367.5) and ends at the City of St. Charles, MO, mile 28 OR at any designated official boat ramp the leading boat can make a powered landing at within the 38 hour window from 7am August 8th to 9pm August 9th. The boat at the furthest officially designated downstream boat ramp from KC at 9pm, August 9th shall be deemed the winner of the 2014 e-340.

4. There will be 3 checkpoints with cutoff times along the course.

7am start at Kaw Point

Miami, mile 263, with a cutoff time of 9pm at 14 hours. (7.5mph leg)

Glasgow, mile 226, with a cutoff time of 3am at 20 hours. (6mph leg)

Cooper's Landing, mile 170, with a cutoff time of noon at 29 hours. (6.2mph leg)

After Cooper's Landing, any official public boat ramp may be a finish line. The maximum allowable finish time is 9pm, August 9th. St. Charles is the maximum finish line, a distance of 340 miles from Kaw Point.

For a legal finish, a boat must land under power at the boat ramp. Drifting past the boat ramp is not a legal finish. Paddling in to boat ramp is not a legal finish. If a boat records a legal finish, then elects to continue and cannot record a subsequent legal finish, they are disqualified and their previous finish is forfeit.

5. Boat must have positive buoyancy, even if capsized.

6. Batteries and gear must be secured in boat and should remain secured in the event of a capsize.

7. Cockpit must not create an entrapment hazard.

8. Boat must have functioning navigation lights.

9. Motorized boat must be registered. Proper paper work for a motorized boat must be carried board. Proper numbering on both sides of the boat is required. Boat should meet all Coast Guard safety minimums.

10. Coast Guard approved PFD must be worn at all times while underway and by all crew.

11. There must be a functioning cell phone aboard each boat.

12. There shall be no differentiation between boats with one crew and multiple crew. While crew can exit the boat and not return, new crew may not replace them.

13. Each boat is responsible for a ground crew to retrieve them from their final boat ramp or shore side terminus.

14. Safety boats will be on the water to provide assistance in the form of towing or rescue. Safety boats are not responsible for loss of equipment, including vessel, if a tow or rescue is requested. Safety boat pilot will make the determination as to what is the safest destination for the towed vessel.